Page 54 of Effing Eli

I had a pleasant childhood but it was nothing like Eli’s, and yet he seemed to not appreciate how fortunate he was. I sort of felt the same way, trying to better my life so I could afford to give my child all the things I’d dreamed of when I was a kid.

It was strange how Eli and I wanted different things, but perhaps it was why we kept hitting a roadblock. We used to be on the same page about everything until my desire for a large family surfaced.

The door flew open and Eli dashed in. I was speechless as he crossed the room. “Thank God. I thought you’d left.” He reeled me into his arms and kissed the side of my head. “I’m sorry I took off. I’m sorry for everything.”

“Why? Because you have your own goals? You don’t need to apologize. It’s only natural to have dreams and aspirations. We’re just going in different directions.”

He pulled back and pressed his forehead to mine. “No. We aren’t going in different directions. You and our baby is my dream. I freaked out. I let my selfish pride control me but no more, Autumn. You and the baby are it for me. You’re both all I need.”

“We don’t know if there’s a baby. You’re free, Eli. I’m not trapping you.”

He dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my stomach. “There’s a baby in here.” He peppered my stomach with kisses. “And I don’t want to be set free, Autumn. I need you. You’re all I want.”

A sob ripped from my chest, and I buried my face in my hands.

“Boo, I’m so sorry for hurting you again. Just don’t end what we’ve started. Please. I’ll do anything. Just don’t give up on me.”

I dropped to my knees and crushed my lips to his. Give up on him? There wasn’t a single cell in my body that would ever give up on him.

“I’m not ending what we started. I was just going to let you go again.”

“Dammit, woman, you better never let me go again. I need you.” He kissed me breathless.

I broke the kiss, gasping for air. “Are you sure this time? This back and forth is making me dizzy. It makes me question why I love you.”

A cocky smirk played on his intoxicating lips. “You love me?”

“Jesus, Eli… You know I do.”

“Then marry me again so we can plan our return to Manhattan.”

I stared into his twinkling blue depths. He wasn’t teasing.

“Marry me, Autumn. Say yes and become Mrs. Eli Morgan once again… for the last time.”

“You want to get married and move back to Manhattan?”

“Yes. We can live wherever you want. Just say yes.”

The anticipation on his handsome face was palpable. If I said yes, I needed to be all in. If I said yes, all my dreams might come true. If I said yes, I’d be Mrs. Eli Morgan of Manhattan again.

What was I thinking? I’d never stopped being his, and he’d always been mine.

“Yes, Eli. I’ll marry you again. But this better be the last—” He cut me off with his lips and walked me toward the bedroom and to the bed.

Our clothes were yanked off our bodies, and within seconds, Eli was thrusting into me and lifting me into orbit.

“The justice of the peace will be at my uncle’s home Saturday to marry us.” He nibbled up and down my neck as he spoke. “My aunt is calling your mom to make arrangements. Tomorrow we’ll pick out a new ring for you and view the townhouse Uncle Loyd offered us.” He leisurely slipped in and out of me. “When we return to California, we’ll turn in our letters of resignation, but I’m pretty willing to bet Will won’t hold us to them and will cut us loose on the spot.”

I giggled, swirling my fingers through his thick wavy hair. “Bossy much? Do I have a say in any of this?”

“As your boss, I call the shots. You’re fired, Ms. Lucas. And I’m ordering you to marry me so I can make all your dreams come true. Beginning with our baby.”

“I love this side of you. But enough already, I’m close. Make me come.”

He picked up his pace, driving into me. “Such a dirty girl,” he growled, nipping at my lip. “Do you love me?”

I cupped the back of his head and held his lips to mine. “Love never dies, Eli. I love you with all my heart.”

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